As the 2024 election inches closer, Americans nationwide share a common sentiment: “Well, I don’t really care to vote or follow politics. It doesn’t really affect me too much.” The truth is, this sentiment could be far more dangerous than you could imagine. This is a reminder to everyone that politics matter and you should care.
Many Americans associate all politics with Washington D.C. and envision all politics as parties yelling at each other, accomplishing nothing substantial and barely functioning well enough so the wheels don’t stop spinning. They feel disenfranchised and not empowered to act because they think all politics are in some far-off section of the country.
But everything in your life is political, and it is right in front of you. Your state and local governments influence your education curriculum, healthcare, the local economy, housing, worker’s rights and safety regulations, and roads and bridges to a far greater degree than politicians in Washington. These are all things YOU can influence. State elected officials are positions that you can vote for, that you can often see in person and you can easily organize a committed movement to support the candidates you support.
Politics are at your front door. A majority of the things that affect your day-to-day life have much more to do with the politics in your state and community than they have to do with the president. Do you want legal abortion in your state after the overturning of Roe v. Wade? You can vote for that. Do you want specific school officials? You can vote for that and go to school board meetings. Do you want the roads in your neighborhood to be fixed? Call your representative and make sure they hear your issues.
Being active at the local level translates into a better understanding of national politics. If you want government healthcare policy to change, you can call your senator and tell them they should make decisions with your interests in mind, lest they lose your vote in the next election cycle. These local politicians need your votes much more than the President does. Using your vote as a bargaining chip has substantial consequences, especially if you get a group of people to rally behind your cause.
Democracy dies when people don’t care to participate in it. This machine requires active effort and maintenance to keep on the right track. Electing one person every four years is the bare minimum. If you want things to change for the better, then you need to be aware that politics happen around you at all times and it’s on you to be aware of them.
